APA Blogs
224 Results
Addressing the Public Mental Health Challenge of Climate Change
- By Katherine Catalano, Elizabeth Haase, M.D.
For most Americans, the face of climate change is extreme weather and natural disasters. More than 40% of Americans live in a county impacted by a major natural disaster in the last year. In the last seven years, natural disasters cost the United States more than a trillion dollars in damage and more than 5,000 lives were lost.
Air Pollution’s Impact on Mental Health
Air pollution is a major environmental health risk — the links between air pollution and health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are well established. Though less well-understood, there is substantial evidence that air pollution also impacts mental health.
How to Talk About Suicide on Social Media
Social media has tremendous reach and influence. When people post on social media about suicide, that influence can be helpful or hurtful. Conversations about suicide on social media can promote misperceptions and stigma and potentially influence others to attempt suicide
Gambling Disorder Screening Day: What You Should Know
Over the past couple of years, there has been a tremendous increase in the availability and easy access to gambling, especially sports betting, across the country. It would have been hard to miss the recent barrage of advertising around sports betting. Online and mobile phone access also increases the potential for individuals to develop problems with gambling.
How Do Companion Animals and Therapy Animals Support Mental Well-being?
Companion animals are increasingly being used to support mental wellbeing and to augment mental health treatment. A new book from APA Publishing, The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders, reviews recent research and highlights the variety of ways mental health professionals are working with companion animals to support treatment and promote mental health.